Artemis II - A Preview to Launch
We invite you to a public launch briefing — an opportunity to understand what is about to happen, why it matters, and how Canada is shaping humanity’s next era in space.
Artemis II will be the first crewed mission of the Artemis program, carrying astronauts beyond low Earth orbit and around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. With Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen aboard, it represents a defining moment for Canada in space exploration.
A launch briefing for a new era
This evening at the Centre of the Universe is designed to prepare the public for the mission ahead. Visitors will explore the goals, technology, and risks of Artemis II, and how this mission fits into a longer-term plan to return humans to the Moon — not just to visit, but to stay, learn, and go farther.
The Gateway Project and the road beyond the Moon
Artemis II is a key step toward the Lunar Gateway, a small space station that will orbit the Moon and serve as a staging point for future missions. Canada is a full partner in the Gateway Project, contributing advanced robotics and technology that will enable sustained human presence in deep space — and eventually missions to Mars.
Looking ahead
Preview to Launch is also a lead-up to a future Canadian Space Agency collaboration, with plans underway to host a public launch-viewing event when Artemis II lifts off. This January gathering sets the stage — helping our community understand the mission before the countdown begins.
Canadian leadership in space and astronomy
Canada’s role in space exploration spans generations. From the Canadarm to Canadarm2 and now Canadarm3 for Gateway, Canadian innovation has been essential to human spaceflight. The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, home of the Centre of the Universe, represents another pillar of that leadership — a place where Canada has been exploring the cosmos since 1918.
This event connects those threads: Canada’s scientific past, its present contributions, and its future beyond Earth orbit.
The Moon — our next destination
The Moon is no longer just a distant object in the night sky. It is the next testing ground for human exploration — a place to study planetary history, learn how to live and work off Earth, and prepare for deeper journeys into the solar system. Artemis II brings the Moon back into focus for a new generation.
Inspiring the next generation
Artemis is about more than a single mission. It marks the moment when a new generation of explorers begins pushing human presence beyond Earth orbit again. This event is designed to meet the growing public excitement around Artemis II and to inspire curiosity, learning, and imagination — especially among young people who may one day help shape what comes next.